Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Ties Record That Ben Roethlisberger Never Could

The Pittsburgh Steelers got a big win in Week 5 against the Indianapolis Colts. They bent a lot, but they didn't break down on either side of the ball to record the 34-22 victory. Both sides had their struggles, but whenever the Steelers needed to make a play the most, they did. If Pittsburgh can continue that level of clutch play while containing the opposition, it might be able to make some noise as the season progresses. The Colts aren't necessarily a slouch either, so there is hope for the near future in the Steel City.

Overall, the offense has been much improved. In the first two weeks, that unit averaged eight points per game, as the defense had to score a touchdown to avoid overtime in Week 1. Since then, that number has skyrocketed to just over 29 points per game. While the defensive numbers are not where they'd like them to be, the roles have reversed with the scoring going way up to make life easier on the defense. 

It also helps when historic records get matched. After the game, Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk revealed that quarterback Aaron Rodgers has accomplished a feat that the Steelers have not seen since the Steel Curtain era.

"Aaron Rodgers threw this third touchdown pass of the day, and his 17-yard toss to Pat Freiermuth made history," Williams said. "Rodgers is only the second quarterback in team history with three consecutive games of three or more touchdown passes. Terry Bradshaw was the team’s only other quarterback to accomplish the feat."

The Steelers have been relying on Rodgers a lot to get the ball into the end zone, especially with much the run game has struggled in the first two weeks. Even now, with Pittsburgh being able to use the ground game more, the passing game has been almost the exclusive way that it has scored touchdowns the entire season, as Jaylen Warren's 50-yard rush in Week 5 was the first score on the ground for the Black and Gold.

For the most part, Rodgers has spread the ball out, although he clearly loves his tight ends. With two touchdown receptions in Week 5, Pat Freiermuth took sole possession of first place for team touchdowns through five weeks, as he has hauled in four of them. Four different players have a score with Roman Wilson being the only other player that has two of them. 

With how amazing Ben Roethlisberger's career was, it is shocking that having he never recorded at least three touchdowns in three consecutive games. He has many other accolades throughout his illustrious career, but he was never able to reach that mark that the legendary Terry Bradshaw did, as well as Rodgers just did after the Week 5 win. He was close numerous times, but he was constantly one score shy of reaching that mark. 

Steelers Have Numerous Other Records Under Roethlisberger

Roethlisberger is still the record-holder in so many other categories. On the touchdown front, he is still the only quarterback in NFL history to throw for six scores in back-to-back games, yet he did not reach three passing touchdowns the week before or after. That was still an amazing two-game stretch in the middle of 2014 that even the greatest quarterbacks have never accomplished, and may never will. 

The future Hall of Famer also became the first signal-caller to have multiple 500-yard passing games. While that feat has since been accomplished, he still holds the all-time record with four contests where he reached that mark: three in the regular season and one in the postseason. Even though Rodgers and Bradshaw now have a piece of history that Roethlisberger doesn't, he was still a well-decorated quarterback in his own right, and he should still make it to the Hall of Fame very easily.

What do you think about Rodgers being the second Steelers quarterback ever to have three consecutive three-touchdown games? Let us know on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.

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